Exotic Blossoms Chest of Drawers and Pillows

How long do I need to let paint dry before applying an Adhesive Silkscreen to the surface?

When silkscreening on top of a painted surface or creating a repeat of a design, always allow ample time for your paint to dry fully (12-24 hours) before you apply an adhesive silkscreen to its surface.

What surfaces can Adhesive Silkscreens be applied?

Silkscreens can be applied to fabric, metal, wood, tin, glass and hard plastic. For best results, surfaces should be smooth and clean.

What are the best tools to use with the Adhesive Silkscreens?

The best tools to use for silkscreening are sponge pouncers or squeegees.
The squeegee method is ideal for flat surfaces or large spaces. When using a squeegee, apply a small amount of glass paint to your empty area around your screen. Then, using the edge of your squeegee that best suits the dimensions of your artwork, pull your paint across the open areas of the screen using light and even pressure. If you experience bleeding it is likely because you are applying too much pressure while pulling your squeegee across the screen. You should also check to make sure your screen was lying completely flat and had properly adhered to your surface.
The sponge pouncer method is ideal for curved surfaces, intricate areas or small surfaces. When using a sponge pouncer, apply a small amount of paint onto a painter’s palette and dab your tool into the paint. Then lightly dab your sponge pouncer on an empty part of your palette to remove excess paint. Use your tool to dab paint into the open parts of your silkscreen, working quickly with light and even pressure.

Are the Adhesive Silkscreens reusable?

Yes, silkscreens are reusable. After each use, silkscreens should be washed and dried immediately to prevent clogging. Silkscreens can be washed with warm water immediately or can be gently scrubbed with soap and water.

Keep a bowl of water nearby when you are using your silkscreens. It saves you time and fewer trips to the sink if you can quickly dunk your silkscreens in the water for a soak while you continue to work. This will prevent you from ruining your silkscreens if you forget to wash them immediately, and your paint dries in open areas of the screen. Never let your paint dry in the screen in the effort to apply more than one coat of paint. This will result in ruining your silkscreen and the paint will peel along with your silkscreen when you remove it from your surface.

Over time and after many uses, the adhesive on the back of the silkscreen will become less tacky, however, the silkscreen is still usable. Lightly blow-drying or warming your silkscreens in your hand can aid in reinvigorating their adhesive qualities. If the silkscreen no longer sticks, it is still reusable and can be adhered with a low tack tape.